A groundbreaking hypersonic jet capable of traveling from London to New York in just one hour is scheduled for its inaugural test flight in 2025. Developed by startup Venus Aerospace, the aircraft will reach speeds of up to Mach 6 (3,600 mph/5,795 km/h), six times the speed of sound. Central to this innovation is the Venus Detonation Ramjet 2000 lb Thrust Engine (VDR2), which facilitates hypersonic flight.
In collaboration with aerospace firm Velontra, Venus Aerospace aims to conduct the test flight next year, signaling the dawn of a “high-speed flight economy.” Unlike conventional planes, this hypersonic jet will ascend using traditional jet engines before switching to rocket propulsion at higher altitudes. Passengers will enjoy spectacular views of the Earth’s curvature and the vastness of space, even if the flight doesn’t reach the edge of space.
At the Up. Summit, Andrew Duggleby, co-founder of Venus Aerospace, remarked, “This engine makes the hypersonic economy a reality. We are thrilled to partner with Velontra to achieve this revolution in high-speed flight, leveraging their expertise in high-speed air combustion.”
Velontra’s Chief Operating Officer, Eric Briggs, added, “We are eager to see the first flight and refine an engine concept that has mainly existed in textbooks. We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Venus, who are pioneers in rocketry and ready to tackle complex challenges.”
The hypersonic aviation sector is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies like Sierra Space and Hermeus also pursuing Mach 6-capable aircraft. Additionally, China’s Space Transportation is developing a “rocket with wings” for both space tourism and intercity travel.
These advancements promise to revolutionize air travel with unprecedented speed and efficiency, though challenges such as sonic boom noise management and safety remain to be addressed.
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